BIOC 107 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Carboxylic Acid, Myoglobin, Thiol
Document Summary
Amino acids help buffer the ph in cells. Amino acids are composed of an amine and a carboxylic acid group. Carboxylic acid is a weak acid (proton donor) Depending on the ph both groups can donate or accept a proton. The charge of an amino acid depends on the ph. If the ph is below the pka = the acid (ha) form is mostly present. If the ph is above the pka = conjugate base (a-) is mostly present. Acidic amino acids have cooh groups in their side chains. Basic amino acids have amine groups in their side chains. Polar amino acids have amide, alcohol, or sulfhydryl groups in their side chains. Thiol groups are polar just like alcohol groups. Amino acids are linked together by amide bonds to form peptides and proteins. Multiple subunit polypeptides associated to give functional protein form. Metabolic energy and enzymes/ribozymes (biological catalysts) are required to make peptide bonds.
